Long-term Health Outcomes of Late-midlife Latino Participants in a Lifestyle Intervention Linked to Primary Care
Year: 2018
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Rural-living Latinos experience significant health disparities, ranging from increased risk for comorbid chronic health conditions to early-onset disability. Barriers to accessing healthcare services exacerbate these issues. In a previous pilot study, we observed positive psychosocial, behavioral, and cardiometabolic health changes in late-midlife (50–64 years old) Latinos receiving primary care services who participated in ¡Vivir Mi Vida! (¡VMV!), a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention led by a community health worker-occupational therapist team. The present study included assessment of long-term health changes in ¡VMV! participants. Individuals who participated in the ¡VMV! pilot study were eligible for long-term follow-up (LTFU) assessment. Twelve months after completion of the four-month intervention, a battery of self-report and physiological health measures was administered. Using Wilcoxon signed rank tests, we analyzed both (a) pre-treatment vs. LTFU and (b) post-treatment vs. LTFU change scores. Of the 40 original pilot study participants, 27 were available for reassessment. Participants demonstrated significant positive pre-to-LTFU changes in all dimensions of the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (Cohen’s d≥0.82; p≤0.004), with additional significant gains observed from post-to-LTFU (d≥0.38, p≤0.05) for all but one subscale. Improved levels observed post-treatment in systolic blood pressure, social satisfaction, sodium intake, and saturated fat intake were maintained at LTFU (p≥0.14). Though not apparent from pre-to-post assessment, improved sleep was observed from both pre-to-LTFU (d=0.52, p=0.005) and post-to-LTFU (d=0.32, p=0.004). A tailored lifestyle intervention led by community health workers and occupational therapists has potential to achieve long-term health benefits in multiple physical, behavioral, and psychosocial domains in rural-dwelling, late-midlife Latinos.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: S Schepens Niemiec, C Vigen, J Blanchard, J Martínez, M Carlson
Institution: University of Southern California
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2900391580